Impatiens plant named ‘DHAR328’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Impatiens  cultivar named ‘DHAR328’ is disclosed, characterized by medium sized orange colored flowers. The new variety has good branching, and is sun resistant. The new variety is an  Impatiens , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Impatiens hawkeri.

Variety denomination: ‘DHAR328’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Impatiens cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Impatiens varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during May of 2009.

The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Impatiens hawker ‘982’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Impatiens hawker ‘1810’. The new variety was discovered in July of 2010 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2009 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by leaf cuttings. The cuttings are from an apical bud that has no more than two expanded leaves and three to four immature leaves present. This was first performed at a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in May of 2010 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DHAR328’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DHAR328’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DHAR328’ as a new and distinct Impatiens cultivar:

-   -   1. Medium flower size.     -   2. Orange flower color.     -   3. Good branching.     -   4. Plants have an excellent tolerance for high light, sunny         conditions.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR328’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Impatiens hawkeri ‘982’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR328’ are more vigorous in growth habit and have darker foliage than the seed parent. ‘DHAR328’ also has a darker flower color than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR328’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent; Impatiens hawkeri ‘1810’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR328’ produce smaller flowers and foliage. The new variety also has a more vigorous growth habit than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR328’ are comparable to the variety Impatiens ‘Sunpatiens Vigorous Orange’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,663. The two Impatiens varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DHAR328’ differs in producing darker flower and foliage as well as a more compact growth habit than the comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR328’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Impatiens ‘Sunpatiens Compact Orange’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,498. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘DHAR328’ produces a lighter flower color as well as a more vigorous growth habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DHAR328’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 16 cm pot. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 14 weeks from a rooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical bloom of ‘DHAR328’. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DHAR328’ plants grown outdoors during Spring, Summer and Autumn in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the day and from 15° C. to 25° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Impatiens hawkeri ‘DHAR328’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Summer: About 10 to 12 days at approximately     25° C. Winter: About 14 to 20 days at approximately 18° C. -   Root description: Fine, adventitious fibrous.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 14 weeks from rooted cutting. -   Pot size of plant described: 16 cm. -   Growth habit: Mounded. -   Height: 25-30 cm. -   Plant spread: 40 cm. -   Growth rate: Vigorous. -   Branching characteristics: Highly branched. -   Length of primary lateral branches: 20 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 5-7. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Form.—Oval shape.         -   Diameter.—1 cm.         -   Color.—Greyed Orange group 166A RHS.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Strength.—Strong, very stable. -   Internode length: 6.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 20-25 per branch.         -   Average length.—6.5 cm.         -   Average width.—3 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Lanceolate to ovate.         -   Apex.—Attenuate.         -   Base.—Acuminate.         -   Margin.—Ciliate.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Aspect.—45 degrees.         -   Color.—Green. Young foliage upper side: Green Group 143 A             RHS. Young foliage under side: Yellow Green Group 146 D RHS.             Mature foliage upper side: Yellow Green Group 147 A RHS.             Mature foliage under side: Yellow Green Group 147 C RHS.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Midrib with secondary veins.             Venation color upper side: Yellow Green Group 147 C RHS.             Venation color under side: Red Group 39 B RHS.         -   Petiole.—Length: 1 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color: Yellow Green             Group 145 C RHS. Texture: Smooth.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowers at any day length. All year round     in a greenhouse environment. Flowering is continuous from spring     until fall in an outdoor garden. -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: 10 weeks. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single flowers raised above     the foliage. The corolla consists of five petals. -   Rate of flower opening: 10 to 15 days from bud to fully opened     flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: 5-8 Days. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self cleaning. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Length.—1.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—1 cm.         -   Color.—Orange Red Group 34 A RHS. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—6-6.5 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 1.2 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Overlapping.         -   Length.—2.5-3 cm.         -   Width.—2.5-3 cm.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Apex.—Obcordate.         -   Base.—Broad attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Orange. When opening, upper surface: Orange Red Group             N30A RHS. When opening, lower surface: Orange Red Group 32B             RHS. Fully opened, upper surface: Orange Red Group N30B RHS.             Fully opened, lower surface: Orange Red Group 32B RHS. -   Spurs:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—1.         -   Length.—4.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Aspect.—Spur curvature 40°-45° from peduncle.         -   Color.—Towards base: Greyed Red Group 179 A RHS. Apex:             Greyed Red Group 181 A RHS. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—2.         -   Length.—1.5 cm.         -   Width.—0.7 cm.         -   Shape (overall).—Oblong. Apex: Acute. Base: Rounded.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Greyed Red Group 182 B RHS. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—4.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Angle.—About 45° to the lateral branch.         -   Strength.—Stable, flexible.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Greyed Red Group 182 B RHS. -   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: There are five stamens with introrse anthers that are more     or less fused and form a cap over the ovary.     -   -   Number.—5. -   Anthers:     -   -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Red Group 39 B RHS.         -   Pollen.—Color: White Group 155 D RHS. Quantity: Few. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—0.5 cm.         -   Style.—Length: 0.5 cm. Color: Yellow Green Group 144 B RHS.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Color: White Group N 155B RHS. Ovary             Color: Yellow-Green group 144D RHS.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: 5-10 seeds per fruit. -   Disease/pest resistance: Common to cultivar. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant at 30° C. and tolerant at 10° C.     degrees Celsius (grows best at 10° C.-30° C.). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘DHAR328’ as herein illustrated and described. 